Prevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, Maryland.

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys can help characterize disparities in SARS-CoV-2 infection and identify gaps in population immunity. Data on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) are limited.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study between December 2020 and July 2022 among 561 participants in the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study-a community-based cohort of current and former PWID in Baltimore, Maryland. Serum samples were assayed for infection-induced anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) and infection and/or vaccination-induced anti-spike-1 (anti-S) SARS-CoV-2 IgG. We estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) via modified Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

The median age was 59 years, 35% were female, 84% were non-Hispanic Black, and 16% reported recent injection drug use. Anti-N antibody prevalence was 26% and anti-S antibody prevalence was 63%. Anti-N and anti-S antibody prevalence increased over time. Being employed (aPR=1.53 [95%CI=1.11-2.11]) was associated with higher anti-N prevalence, while a cancer history (aPR=0.40 [95%CI=0.17-0.90]) was associated with lower anti-N prevalence. HIV infection was associated with higher anti-S prevalence (aPR=1.13 [95%CI=1.02-1.27]), while younger age and experiencing homelessness (aPR=0.78 [95%CI=0.60-0.99]) were factors associated with lower anti-S prevalence. Substance use-related behaviors were not significantly associated with anti-N or anti-S prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence increased over time among current and former PWID, suggesting cumulative increases in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination; however, there were disparities in infection-induced seroprevalence and infection and/or vaccine-induced seroprevalence within this study sample. Dedicated prevention and vaccination programs are needed to prevent disparities in infection and gaps in population immunity among PWID during emerging epidemics.